Carol Jean Shapiro

Carol Jean Shapiro was born in Larchmont, New York at Saint Agnes Hospital. She grew up in Westchester County, New York living with her father, Harry Maynard, and her mother, Dorothy Bell Maynard. Carol graduated from A. B. Davis High School in Mount Vernon, New York.

A defining theme of Carol’s life was her love for animals. Her first pet as a child was a Boston Terrier named Ladybug. After Ladybug died at only seven years old, Carol’s family got her first German Shepherd, Shep. Shep would be her loyal companion through her formative teenage years. Other animal companions included rabbits, parakeets, and horses. She would also volunteer at a local pet shop to care for the puppies and rabbits. In her adult life, she foster cared for puppies and kittens for the St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center of New Jersey. Throughout her life, Carol cherished the companionship of dogs and cats. Right up until her death, she always shared her home with at least one dog and cat.

Carol’s first marriage resulted in the birth of her son and daughter, John Scott DeGasperis and Teresa Lynn DeGasperis. When she met her second husband, Martin Shapiro, the family moved to New Jersey where they lived for 30 years. In their later years, Carol and Marty eventually settled in South Carolina to enjoy the beach life. They were married for 47 years at the time of Marty’s death in September 2019.